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i Patented Dec. 27, |898. W. H. SCHNEIDER. DAM FOR REPAIBIN'G BREAKS IN LEVEES.

(Application filed Mar. 4, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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NrrED STATES ENCE.

" ATENT WILLIAM n. SCHNEIDER, oF NEWYOEK, N. Y., AssIGNoE oE ONE-HALE To FREDERICK TIIEODORE RALF, OF SAME PLAGE;

DANI FOR RPAIRING BREAKS IN L EVEES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 616,690, dated December at', 1898.

Application filed March 4, 1 8 9 8.

To LZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that LWILLIAM H. SCHNEIDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the borough of Manhattan and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dams for Repairing Breaks in Levees, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention has reference to an improved means for quickly repairing and closing breaks in levees of rivers, so that the damage arising therefrom is reduced and the levee restored to its former efficiency; and the invention consists of a dam for closing breaks in levees which is made in a wedge-shaped structure formed of intercrossing logs that are tied together and secured in position in the break of the levee by means of anchoringchains and piles and rendered water-tight by means of sand-bags and other filling material, as will be fully described hereinafter and nally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a plan of a part of a break in the levee, showing my improved dam in position therein. Fig. 2 is a Vertical transverse section through the dam on the line 2 2, Fig. l. Fig. 3 isa vertical longitudinal section of the same on line 3 3, Fig. l; and Figs. 4 and 5 are details showing the connection of the logs used in forming the floating dam.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. y

Referring to the drawings, A represents a levee the break of which is to be closed. For this purpose a floating dam Bis constructed, which is made of intercrossing logs or timber ct ct, that are cut near the levee or shipped to a point near the levee. The floating dam B is constructed in its outline in the form of a Wedge, as shown in Fig. l, and rounded off in cross-section, the width and depth of the dam correspondingto the Width and depth of water at the point in the levee where thebreak has occurred. The intercrossing logs ct of the dam B are tied together lengthwise by means of chains b or other fastening devices, that are Wound around the ends of the logs or timbers,which overlap each other, as shown in Fig. 4, said chains or other fastenings being rmly attached at their ends to the logs Serial No. 672.508. (No model.)

by means of spikes b', which are driven through the links into the logs or timbers. The logs or timbers Ct are arranged at a certain distance from each other, both in longitudinal and transverse direction, and connected at the points of intersection of the different logs by cross-chains d, as shown in Fig. .5, the ends of which are likewise fastened by means of spikes d, the same as in 6o Fig. 4.

The floating dam Bis made up in the manner described at a point on the river some distance from the break in the levee. It is floated to the place of use by means of steamtugs and guided to enter the levee. The water rushing through the break will force the wedge-shaped dam B gradually forward in the break until the narrower end extends beyond the edge of the levee, as shown in 7o Fig. l. When the dam has settled sufficiently, itisretained in this position by means of chains D and anchors D', said chains passing through the body of the dam B and extending in diverginglines therefrom. The anchor- 7 5 ing-chains D D' hold the dam firmly against the current passing through the break and in position in the levee. Piles E are then driven through the open portions of the dam in line with the levee and in the river, as shown in 8o Fig. 4, said piles securing the same firmly in position, so that the anchoring-chains can be taken off. After the driving of the piles is completed the spaces in the dam B in line with the levee are gradually filled up by means -8 5 of sand-bags and other filling material, yso that the water is prevented from passing through the dam and so that the land side of the levee is thereby closed off from the river side. The dam is then gradually filled up 9o with earth or other lling material, and thereby theA break closed in a strong and effective manner, so thatthe overflooding of the land back of the levee is discontinued and the land protected and restored to its former use.

My improved dam for closing breaks in levees Acan be quickly constructed after a break occurs. It requires, however, first an investigation of the size of the break and of adam of the required size can be built. This 1 is then readily accomplished either by utilizthe depth of the water near the same, so that Ioo ing the timber in the woods near the break or by shipping logs from a suitable point of storage and making it up into a floating dam, as described, and then using the floating dam as a means for gradually closing the break and restoring the levee to its former effectiveness. As in most eases logs and timber are available near the levees and as chains and spikes, tbc., are at hand ready for use, whenever notice of a break is given the dam can be quickly constructed7 floated in position in the break, and closed bythe piles and lilling material. In this manner breaks in levees can be quickly and effectively repaired,especially when proper care is taken that the breaks are immediately reported to the next station conti guous thereto and that the necessary means for constructing the floating dam are always kept on hand ready for use at certain stations. By thus closing the breaks quickly the enlarging of the breaks and the increasing damage resulting therefrom are confined within much smaller bounds and effective means provided by which breaks in levees can be quicklyrepaired and closed without recourse to the tedious and expensive methods heretofore employed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A dam for repairing breaks in levees, consisting of a wedge-shaped structure formed of intercrossing logs or timbers tied together, anchoring-chains for holding said dam in position in the break, and piles driven into the openings between the logs, substantially as set forth.

2. A dam for repairing breaks in levees, consisting of a wedge-shaped structure formed of intercrossing logs tied togetl1er,piles driven into the spaces between the logs in line with the levee and filling material for closing up the spaces between the logs and piles, substantially as set forth.

3. For repairing breaks in levees, a iioating framework for a dam, of wedge-shaped construction made narrower at the frontand wider at the rear and composed of intercrossing logs or timbers tied together by chains or other fastening devices, substantially as set forth. 4

et. For repairing breaks in levees, the combination of a wedge-shaped floating framework for a dam, formed of intercrossiug logs or timbers tied together by means of chains or other fastening devices, chains applied to the dam, and anchors at the end of said chains for holding the dam in position after it is iioated into the break, substantially as set forth. v

In testimony that I claim thepforegoing as myinvention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

NVM. Il. SCHNEIDER.

lVi t nesses:

PAUL Gonrni., Gno. XV. JAEKEL. 

